Berserk of Gluttony (Light Novel) Vol. 1 Page 16

  Now that I had consumed the crowned kobold, I was stronger than a rookie holy knight, so I had to start thinking about training to control my stats. Then again, each time I upgraded Greed, it was always going to send me back to square one. In any case, as long as I had Gluttony, I couldn’t avoid sudden fluctuations in my stat levels. Washing the old gardener’s back was a good chance to practice.

  “Ouch! What’re you doing back there?!”

  “Oh, sorry!”

  “I’m just a little old man, Fate. Be more attentive, would you?”

  With each slip in concentration, I lost control of my stats. It was going to be a while before doing so became second nature.

  ***

  In the dead of night, I donned my skull mask and went out as I always did to where the goblins roamed. That night, I headed to Hobgoblin Forest. I had fasted at the Hart estate for two days, and Gluttony craved sustenance.

  Even in the murky darkness of the forest, the hobgoblins were easy to spot with my Night Vision. I spared none on my hunt, not even those sleeping amongst the roots of the trees.

  Gluttony skill activated. Stats increased: Vitality +440, Strength +220, Magic +110, Spirit +110, Agility +110

  I heard that metallic voice countless times, but the hunger remained. I was at the limit for goblins and hobgoblins. Until recently, goblin hunting had been enough to satiate my Gluttony, but I had an idea of what was happening.

  Greed made it clear. “Gluttony knows the taste of a crowned beast now,” he said. “It won’t be satisfied by anything less.”

  “But I won’t get hungrier than this if I keep hunting, right…?”

  “Fate, of course it’s going to get worse. You know this better than anyone.”

  I should never have fed Gluttony something as delicious as a crowned monster. If I’d known this was going to happen, I would have fed it a full course of goblins instead. However, there had been no avoiding the crowned kobold. If I’d done nothing, it would have wrought havoc on the Hart family estate. I was glad to have killed it, but now I was stuck with an entirely new predicament.

  “Ugh…my right eye is burning.”

  It happened just after I killed my tenth hobgoblin. I looked at myself in the blade of the black sword, and saw it in the reflection of the skull mask that stared back at me.

  “It’s just like you said, Greed… It’s getting worse.”

  “I told you. It comes out most clearly in the eyes.”

  In the blade of the black sword, a bright-red eye stared back at me. My left eye was black, but my right had turned so red it was repulsive. This color meant only one thing…

  “Gluttony is starved,” Greed said. “It is only a matter of time.”

  I could feel it, too. It wouldn’t be long before the monsters near the kingdom—goblins—would no longer sustain my Gluttony. And the Gluttony that crawled within me…it would not wait.

  “It’s time to go, Fate. The time you knew would come…it’s here. And you don’t have long.”

  “What time is that?” I knew the answer, but I turned the question back on Greed.

  “The time to decide your future.”

  I said nothing and headed back to the kingdom. I encountered several adventurers along the way, but paid no mind to any of them.

  Nevertheless, they all cried out the same thing as they saw me and ran. “The lich has returned! The Corpse is back! Run, everybody!”

  I walked through the empty plains of the Goblin Grasslands and removed the skull mask.

  “It’s quiet,” I said.

  “And so very, very lonely.”

  “Shut up.”

  I pressed toward the kingdom through the winds that swept over the grasslands.

  The next day, I wrapped a bandage around my red eye to hide it. I told the other servants I had hurt it while half-asleep. I couldn’t tell if the gardeners were worried or angry. “How are you going to prune if you can’t concentrate?” they said, but I was fairly certain they were concerned more than anything.

  “It’s okay. I can do it with my good eye,” I said.

  “Well, do what you can, but don’t push it, okay?”

  As promised, they let me prune the garden’s trees. To begin, the old gardener stayed by my side, teaching me as we went. Eventually, we got through one tree.

  “How’s that?” I asked.

  “You’re getting there,” he said. “Now, do the one over there just like this one. I have work of my own to get to.”

  “Uh…you mean, do it by myself…?”

  “What’s the problem? If you don’t know what to do, you come find me, okay?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The old gardener was the type who preferred practical experience to explanations. There was nothing for me to do but get to it.

  I took the pruning shears in hand and headed to the tree the old gardener had pointed to when I noticed Lady Roxy equipped in her white light armor. It looked as if she had just come back from the castle. Usually she went straight into the manor upon her return, but today was different. I was curious; where was she going?

  I followed her and was about to raise my voice and call out…but felt suddenly unable to. Lady Roxy knelt before her father’s grave, a heavy look upon her face like none I had ever seen her wear. It was the face of one about to go into battle. After saying something to the grave, Lady Roxy stood, turned toward the manor…and found me watching her. I’d been staring so intently, I didn’t even think to hide.

  “Fay, what are you doing here…? Did something happen to your eye? Are you hurt?”

  I put on an air of calm and showed Lady Roxy my gardening shears.

  “I, uh…I was half-asleep, and I bumped it somehow. But starting today, I’m allowed to prune the garden’s trees. So uh…I guess I’ll prune this tree right here.”

  I put my hand on the tree next to me, even though it was actually entirely different from the one the gardener told me to work on.

  “But…Lady Roxy,” I said. “Is something wrong? You don’t look like yourself today.”

  I asked the question with some apprehension. Had something happened at the castle? As I spoke, however, the expression I had seen at her father’s grave vanished, and the Lady Roxy I knew returned.

  “It’s nothing,” she said. “But if I were you, I’d worry a little more about pruning before someone scolds you.”

  Lady Roxy pointed at the glaring figure of the old gardener, his arms crossed. I knew exactly what that gaze said. Not that tree, numbskull, the one over there!

  Lady Roxy used the opportunity to slip away toward the manor. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but as I watched her walk away, I was left with an ominous feeling. It stood in contrast to the cloudless sky, which was clear and beautiful.

  Once my duties were complete, I was free until my evening hunt, so I went to the local bar. When I got there, I heard the news I had been aching for. The barkeep told me as he brought my meal to the counter.

  At long last, Hado Vlerick was heading to Hobgoblin Forest to hunt and kill the newly returned lich. And he was headed there tonight.

  A holy knight just like Lady Roxy was coming to my hunting ground. My turf .

  Hado had to have information. He had to know something about that odd shop in the Merchant District. If the Vlerick family had done something foul, I would pull it out of him. But this was also personal. I had a score to settle with Hado. A big one.

  I downed the last of the wine in my glass and stood from my seat.

  Chapter 23:

  What Must Be Done

  T HAT EVENING, I waited silently in the Hobgoblin Forest for the arrival of Hado Vlerick.

  I was in the flower field the goblin king had once called its territory. It was a circular clearing surrounded by trees, the only place in the forest where trees no longer grew. In the center of the clearing were the remains of the withered tree that had fallen in my battle with the goblin king. It was there that I sat in wait, my senses sharpened.


  Hado would come. He had to. I had left him a trail of goblin corpses to follow. If that wasn’t enough for him to find me, then he really was so stupid he was beyond saving. The rest depended on how fully he believed the rumors about the Corpse’s modus operandi.

  The Corpse only attacked goblins. It did not attack people—yet. If Hado believed this, he wouldn’t see the scattered goblin corpses as the trail to a trap. I listened closely and heard only the rustling of leaves in the wind. He had not come. I wondered if the barkeep’s information was bad.

  Just as I thought this, I picked up a different sound steadily approaching. Then, at the edge of the flower field, the noise stopped. I remained unmoving, seated on the fallen tree. Behind my mask, I continued to watch.

  More movement. The sounds spread and separated, surrounding my location. They were getting into position, and then they would attack. Still, I didn’t move. I would give them the first strike. What mattered most was ensuring Hado didn’t get away. That meant luring him into thinking this was his best chance to strike, while the Corpse hadn’t noticed his presence.

  Most holy knights of Hado’s level had proven themselves in Galia, hunting the ever growing population of powerful monsters that called the continent home. But Hado had still never been, and he was little more than shit stuck to the ass of his older brother, Rafale. In other words, even with his imposing figure, Hado was inexperienced and cowardly—the type of person who only picked battles he could win, and opponents he could dominate. Having been ground under his bootheel, I knew only too well.

  And I knew Hado saw the Corpse as exactly the kind of easy job that would earn him merit in the kingdom while allowing him to avoid duties in Galia. As a holy knight, Hado wasn’t interested in becoming stronger. He only wanted to use his position to earn higher status and greater influence. The Vlerick family was a rat’s nest full of this kind of vermin.

  “Fate, they’re coming!” said Greed.

  “So it would seem.”

  The enemy closed in. I heard them pulling bowstrings behind me, to the right. In my half-starved state, with my senses painfully keen, the sound was all too clear.

  The bows fired, and I sprang into the air, evading both arrows with ease. My reaction was unexpected, and the men in hiding gasped. I had shaken their confidence. Landing back on my feet, I held Greed in a battle stance.

  “Ready?” Greed asked.

  “Just a little longer.”

  If I did nothing, they would come to me. Even though their bows were useless from a distance, they retained the confidence and safety of a group. I was one against many, and they would show themselves on the flower field to reach me. Hado loved to do his bullying en masse. It was his personality; he was powerless to resist himself.

  As I expected, he stepped out from the trees in his silver heavy armor with a group of fourteen cronies. Quite the entourage. I guessed that they were all adventurers specially selected and hired by the Vlerick family. Unsheathing their swords from their belts, they approached me with wicked smiles upon their faces.

  As Hado’s forces unveiled their true number, I showed a hint of apprehension. That served to strengthen their resolve and convince them of their upper hand.

  “Great Lord Hado, it seems we’ve found ourselves the so-called Corpse…the lich of rumor. He looks just like all the reports claimed. And now that he’s surrounded, he’s petrified.”

  “Of course he is!” Hado bellowed. “We’re nothing like those greedy little adventurers hunting goblins for chump change. We’re the chosen ones, and I, a holy knight, have been anointed by the gods themselves. I’m the strongest here! There’s no monster that wouldn’t cower before my might. Behold, for the Corpse shivers in fear!”

  “He does! Your righteous stare defeated him before the battle even began.”

  Hado laughed. “But of course.”

  Would they ever stop talking? My performance had won them over. Hado and his men were utterly lost to their overconfidence. The Vlericks had tormented me over five long years, and this playacting was just what I had learned from that abuse. It was impossible to feel any sort of pride in it.

  But my actions also gave Hado the courage to lead the pack and put himself in front. He wouldn’t get away now.

  First, I needed to rid myself of those fourteen rats he brought. I gripped the black sword Greed. Acting time was over.

  One of Hado’s underlings turned to his master.

  “Great Lord Hado, allow us the honor of this hunt,” he said arrogantly. “There’s no need for you to dirty your hands with a monster of this level.”

  “Very well, so be it. Do as you please!”

  “As you wish.”

  It was time to see what Hado’s forces could do. I unleashed the totality of my stats, and in a rush of wind appeared in front of the grunt who’d just spoken. With my left hand, I punched him in the face. Just a tap. Before he could even open his mouth, I sent him flying into the forest’s depths. One down.

  I ignored the astonishment on Hado’s face and moved in to attack the remaining thirteen underlings. Every blow came from my left hand, and not a single man met Greed’s blade. My business was with Hado, and I held no ill will toward these men. I would send them home with their lives.

  However, I knew that minor injuries would lead Hado’s group to return, so I used the Brawl skill’s Ruinous Strike tech-art. I shattered one man’s right arm, another’s left leg, and the jaw of yet another. They were experienced warriors, but our sheer stat differential made them appear to move in slow motion. I could control them like toys even without any real hand-to-hand combat experience.

  When my assault was over, Hado’s men lay broken on the ground, gasping to recover. The expensive swords they had drawn just moments ago were scattered across the field like useless wastes of money.

  That left only two people standing: Hado and myself.

  It seemed Hado’s mouth wouldn’t shut properly. It kept opening and closing like that of an oxygen-starved fish. He stared at the grunts on the ground around him as I slowly approached.

  “What are you doing?!” he shouted at them. “Get up and stop the beast! Do you intend to make me, a holy knight, take care of this myself?!”

  His underlings struggled to their feet, obeying their barking leader’s commands. However, a single swing of the black sword Greed—a little threat to let them know their heads would roll next—sent them all running, faces pale with fear. They disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving Hado entirely on his own.

  Not so loyal to the Vlerick family in the end , I thought.

  “Cowards! Come back! Do you know who I am?! I’m the great Hado of the Vlericks!”

  Not even a peep in response.

  Funny. They seemed so enthusiastic mere moments ago.

  They had by now run so far that Hado’s voice would no longer reach them, no matter how much he shouted.

  How pitiful to be abandoned by your entourage, Hado. Let’s call this an indication of your popularity.

  “You,” Hado growled. “You just made a fool of me… Even a wretched monster will not be forgiven such transgression!”

  Hado drew his golden sword and pointed its blade at me as he settled into a fighting stance. I had to admit, his spirit was admirable. However, his knees wobbled ever so slightly. Perhaps he was instinctively scared. Perhaps he was just a piece of trash. We would know soon enough, when our blades crossed.

  It was just the two of us in the flower field. Nobody else remained. The time for disguises was over. I slowly removed my hooded robe and let it drop to the ground. Then I removed the skull mask which hid my identity. Hado’s face twisted in disbelief at the sight of me unmasked.

  “Impossible… Where did a good-for-nothing, low-level vermin like you get that kind of power…? Tell me!”

  Stupefied by my unexpected appearance, Hado took a step back. In response, I stepped forward, closing the distance between us a touch.

  “I don’t need to answer your q
uestions,” I said, “but you’ll answer all of mine.”

  “Huh…? What is this…arrogance?! And if I don’t answer you?! What then?”

  “If you answer me, your death will be painless,” I said. “But if you don’t, I will make you suffer until you do.”

  “Preposterous! Do you know who I am?! I’m the second son of the Vlerick family! I’m the holy knight, Hado. A rat like you can do nothing to me!”

  “Then show me,” I said. “Show me this holy knight power you’re so proud of.”

  I swung the black sword Greed in circles as I confidently edged closer to Hado. I knew that, if I let him live, sooner or later he would be a thorn in Lady Roxy’s side. Perhaps worse. So once I got what I wanted, I would kill him.

  If Lady Roxy knew what I was going to do next, it would break her heart. But my mind was made up. I would reap what I sowed.

  I would feast.

  Chapter 24:

  The Second Level

  I SLOWLY BROUGHT the black sword to a battle-ready stance, the blade pointed at Hado. Then I used Identify.

  Hado Vlerick, Lv 30

  Vitality: 165,600

  Strength: 197,600

  Magic: 124,400

  Spirit: 130,900

  Agility: 123,800

  Skills: Holy Sword Technique, Strength Boost (High)

  Those were the stats of a holy knight, I would give him that. Strong enough to warrant his cheek, at least. But he was weaker than the crowned kobold, which I had killed and devoured. In other words, I didn’t need to check my stats to know his power was nothing compared to mine.

  However, I was curious about his skills. I already knew what Strength Boost did, but Holy Sword Technique intrigued. I analyzed it with Identify.

  Holy Sword Technique: Attack levels rise when a special-grade holy sword is equipped. Unlocks the area-of-effect tech-art Grand Cross.